Meet Our Practitioners

The philosophy of our group is to remain the elite heart, lung, and esophageal surgical program in Washington and the Northwest, by being in the forefront with proven technology and skills resulting in the best patient care and outcomes.

Each surgeon continues to expand his knowledge of the latest techniques and procedures.

Please review their biographies as well as our team of highly trained physician assistants.

 

Alexander Frank Nieto, M.D.

Dr. Nieto is a native of Denver, Colorado. He received his under-graduate degree at the University of Northern Colorado. He did his general surgery residency at the University of Washington and then was on staff at the University of Washington. Dr. Nieto did his Cardiothoracic Fellowship at the University of Utah and has been practicing here in Everett since 1986.

Timothy Byrnes, M.D.

Dr. Byrnes has been in practice in Everett since 1990. He graduated from Harvard University in 1978, Magna Cum Laude in Biochemical Sciences. He attended Cornell University Medical College and graduated in 1982. He did a medical internship at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and then began a five year general surgery program at Saint Lukes Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. Following that he returned to his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin where he did a Cardiothoracic Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin.

James Brevig, M.D.

Dr. Brevig is a native of New York. He graduated from Tufts University, Massachusetts, in 1982, B.S. in Biology and Philosophy, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa. He then attended Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York where he received his medical degree in 1986 followed by a five year general surgery program at St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. In 1990 and 1991 he was Chief Resident, Department of General Surgery, St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital. He completed his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, New York. He joined ECTSA in 1993.

Patrick Ryan, M.D.

Dr. Ryan received his BS in Biology at the College of William and Mary in 1983. He attended Medical School at the State University of New York at Buffalo followed by a five year General Surgery Residency at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts. His Cardiothoracic surgical training was completed at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center. He was an Assistant Professor at State University of New York in Syracuse from 1994 to 1997. He joined ECTSA in 1997.

Kimberly E. Costas, M.D.

Dr. Costas is a native of California. She attended the University of California, Davis and graduated in 1994, B.S. in Biological Sciences. She received her general surgery degree from Georgetown School of Medicine in 1998. Upon completion of her residency at the University of Washington in 2003, she moved to Sydney, Australia for a one-year registrarship in Cardiothoracic Surgery. She completed her fellowship training in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York in 2006. In August of 2006 she joined ECTSA.

Joseph J. Austin, M.D.

Dr. Austin is a native of Ontario, Canada. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto and completed his medical degree at McMaster University in 1982. He continued his training and education at McMaster University where he completed his General surgery training in 1988 and his Cardiovascular and Thoracic surgery fellowship in 1991. Dr. Austin joined the medical staff at Overlake Medical Center as a Cardiovascular surgeon in 1992. He joined ECTSA in 2009.

Karen Tooley, PA-C

Karen Tooley graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program. In addition to a firm background in general medicine, Karen’s training included rotations in general surgery and internal (geriatric) medicine. Karen is an avid bicycle tourist and beginning triathlete. Karen joined ECTSA in 2001.

Sherri Giragosian, PA-C

Sherri is a California state native. She worked as an operating room technician while pursuing an Associate Degree in Science. She continued her studies and attended the University of California, Davis University Family Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant program. She moved to Washington in 1996 and joined ECTSA in 2001.

Martha Pao, PA-C

Martha is a native of Taiwan. Her career began as a public health nutritionist in 1991. She attended George Washington University and graduated from the Physician Assistant program in 1998. Martha worked as a physician assistant in both cardiac surgery and neurosurgery in Maryland and Washington D.C. She moved to the Everett area in 2003 and joined ECTSA in 2008. She enjoys spending time with her family.

Joe Reed, PA-C

Joe graduated from Eastern Washington University with a degree in nursing and then attended the University of Washington where he completed the Physician Assistant program. He joined the University of Washington department of surgery as a PA-C in 1986. In 2001, Joe completed a surgical mission to the Dominican Republic and in 2002 worked with Doctors Without Borders as a physician assistant and manager. He joined ECTSA in 2009.